a land of Tibet

We're in our coracle heading down the stream on our way to Rongpatsa and the temple of Bongen Gompa after resting at the Yangkhar Dorje Phagmo, sacred cave of Vajravarahi! The Bongen Gompa is a rebuilt temple with a garden of flowers all around it! It stands on a ridge above the Rongpatsa valley not far to the north. Our Footprint Tibet handbook indicates that the original temple ruins are far to the northeast. It may have been destroyed by the Chinese government but this area has been a place of considerable turmoil; perhaps it was the Mongols who had a strong presence in the area who supported the Geluk and Sakya traditions rather than the Kagyu tradition that built this temple. The Kagyupa are of the lineage of Milarepa as we know. The master who resides here is being trained at another location, Darjiling in Sonam; I haven't yet figured out where this is although it may be Darjeeling which is south of Mount Kailas Gang Rinpoche. There are many monasteries in all the traditions including the Bon, in a place called Dzachuka which is somewhat upstream on the Yalong Dza chu. The Mongols under Gushi Qan overcame the Kingdom of Beri on the Horko plain however and it's temple was converted from the Bon tradition to the Buddhist Gelukpa. It must have been rather wierd to have been a practitioner of a faith that emphasizes nonviolence while being zealously supported by those for whom it was a way of life. There is another monastery outside of Rongpatsa called Dargye Gonpa. On our way we'll pass a hot spring and an avenue of trees; there are many images of deities here! There's a lot more to add but as usual two as one we'll add to the notes later beautiful one!


	Through My Eyes * We're in our coracle heading down the stream on our way to Rongpatsa and the temple of Bongen Gompa after resting at the Yangkhar Dorje Phagmo, sacred cave of Vajravarahi! The Bongen Gompa is a rebuilt temple with a garden of flowers all around it! It stands on a ridge above the Rongpatsa valley not far to the north. Our Footprint Tibet handbook indicates that the original temple ruins are far to the northeast. It may have been destroyed by the Chinese government but this area has been a place of considerable turmoil; perhaps it was the Mongols who had a strong presence in the area who supported the Geluk and Sakya traditions rather than the Kagyu tradition that built this temple. The Kagyupa are of the lineage of Milarepa as we know. The master who resides here is being trained at another location, Darjiling in Sonam; I haven't yet figured out where this is although it may be Darjeeling which is south of Mount Kailas Gang Rinpoche. There are many monasteries in all the traditions including the Bon, in a place called Dzachuka which is somewhat upstream on the Yalong Dza chu. The Mongols under Gushi Qan overcame the Kingdom of Beri on the Horko plain however and it's temple was converted from the Bon tradition to the Buddhist Gelukpa. It must have been rather wierd to have been a practitioner of a faith that emphasizes nonviolence while being zealously supported by those for whom it was a way of life. There is another monastery outside of Rongpatsa called Dargye Gonpa. On our way we'll pass a hot spring and an avenue of trees; there are many images of deities here! There's a lot more to add but as usual two as one we'll add to the notes later beautiful one! * courtesy of A Luminous Diamond (Bright) Crystal Show productions. The information for the sketches is courtesy of the Footprint Tibet handbook by Gyurme Dorje. ( please click here to return to my spinning for you!)